Genealogy Chat

Hi, I have roots in King's Lynn I would like to research further. I am very interested in the life of one of my relatives who was born in Kings Lynn in 1895. I know all the basic details of the immediate family she was born into, and I have been able to find out quite a bit about her ancestors too, but I've lost all trace of this lady after 1901, bar that I know she was briefly working as a servant in London in 1912. I believe members of her family, like her father, worked at the King's Sandringham Estate near King's Lynn, and I'd like to know if she ever worked there too. I'd also like to know anything further I could about her early years in King's Lynn, or indeed her later years in King's Lynn, if it is the case that she returned there after going to London sometime prior to 1912, which I think is quite likely. I am aware her immediate family were still living in King's Lynn later than 1912 as she had a brother who died in the 1914-8 war serving in a King's Lynn regiment. I am also very interested in the life of another female relative of mine who died in King's Lynn in 1944. This second relative of mine was a London born and bred working class lady of absolutely no relation to any of my King's Lynn relatives as far as I know. She died in King's Lynn for a reason I'm sure - There must be some connection between her and my King's Lynn relatives I feel - but I really don't know what this could be, and I would love to know! For a year or two I have been planning to go to King's Lynn, to visit the local library or anywhere else there is to visit to try to find records relating to either of these two female relatives of mine that may exist there. However, I've not made it there yet, due largely to it being some distance from me and me being very busy. I am now wondering, would paying someone else to do some King's Lynn research for me be a good idea? However, I have no experience of paying any one else to do family history research for me or idea where to start in this regard. It seems to me that it might be a good idea for me to get some paid help here provided it is not too expensive for me to afford, but I wondering does anybody else have any tips on this? Where should I be looking for someone to help me here? Does anybody know King's Lynn and know of a local history society or suchlike that might offer research services? Thanks in advance for any advice.

The only thing I can think of that may help your research is to add something to the trying to find board. Someone who is related may get intouch with you. Good Luck Irene

Thank you both for your suggestions. I take both your suggestions onboard, but, I am still interested in the idea of perhaps getting some professional help at a price too. Unfortunately, I have a job that keeps me very busy... I do find it very hard to find the time to visit sites like this much, much as I'd like to be able to spent hours on them every day! I wonder if, in my situation, paying for some professional help regards my Kings Lynn brick walls, might be a good idea. I know some records centres in London offer to do research for you at fees of about £21 per hour. I actually paid for an hour once with one of these London records centres and it was so worth the money... The lady that looked at my enquiry was an expert and found me what I wanted straight away! I'm just thinking, if there was someone in Kings Lynn offering the same sort of service, it would be worth me getting in touch.

I just found this website that looks interesting http://archives.norfolk.gov.uk/ Thought I'd post it here, in case anyone else interested in King's Lynn research reads this thread at a later stage.

I have a King's Lynn Kelly's Directory for 1974 beside me as I type. I realise this is a bit later than you want, but I can look up surnames/addresses for you. Have you thought of contacting a local newspaper? If they have a bit of space, they often puff stories like yours.

This is another useful site as it has references to Norfolk newspapers: http://noah.norfolk.gov.uk/access/default.aspx

Why don't you post some of what you have , names dates etc on here, and lets people have a feel around for you? Jess

Hi, Thank you for that Norfolk link Brenda... I had a quick look and it does look interesting. I think 1974 is a bit past where I'm likely to find anything, but thanks for the offer anyway. I would like to know who lived at: 22 Kitchener Street, King's Lynn in 1944. and, who lived at Glebe House, Quay Lane, King's Lynn in 1912. (I think it is possible the Kitchener Street address could have been a hospital, the West Norfolk and Huntingdon Hospital?) I don't know what the second names of the persons living at either address could have been if they are residential properties, as I think, if my relatives were are either address, they would have just been there as servants to the official occupiers. I know in a way it is a good idea to post all the specifics of what info you have got so far online in situations like this, but I have some reservations about doing that. Basically, I come from a very private family and whilst I will talk freely about my family in 1844 online, I don't like to post too much about my family in 1944 online, because it is too recent... People are alive today that remember the time and I don't want to possibly upset anybody who would rather details of their family history not be publicly available online... Al